The Government is convinced that the pay offer to gardai is "absolutely generous" and that no more money can be on offer, the Garda's negotiators were told earlier this month.
During the talks on November 16th the Garda Representative Association was repeatedly told by representatives from the Departments of Justice and Finance that no further money was on the table.
After repeated refusals to budge from the official side, a GRA negotiator pleaded: "Have you no source of comfort for us at all?" The talks have continued informally, and further contacts took place over the weekend to try and resolve the impasse.
Rank-and-file gardai are still refusing to work the new PULSE information technology system, the largest computer network ever installed in the Republic. It cost £40 million to develop and a further £15 million is to be spent on its installation.
The PULSE system was due to have been ready for installation last February. It is now in place, and the old system has closed down, leaving gardai to keep crime and court records on paper. Minutes of the November 16th meeting, seen by The Irish Times, show both sides had difficulty reaching a resolution, even though the old computer system was within days of being closed down as it is not Y2K-compliant.
The senior Department of Justice negotiator said the Minister had issued a press release that morning in which "he has made it perfectly clear that there will be no further money on the table during these talks".
The GRA lodged 11 points for negotiation during the talks. The official side replied that all would cost more money. It was repeated that the pay offer of 4.4 per cent "productivity" increase was final. This award had been agreed at adjudication talks under an independent chairman in August. The GRA's central executive committee recommended the award to its membership but it was rejected in two ballots.
The senior Department of Justice negotiator said: "The Minister says what is on the table is a final settlement. It is regarded as a just and fair offer. That is the limit of the money available. Be of no doubt about that."
The GRA said: "You seem to be saying that the 4.4 per cent pay increase can be revisited but nothing beyond that. Does this mean that the 4.4 per cent could be given on basic pay?".
The negotiator replied: "I am not saying that at all. The offer on basic pay cannot be interfered with. The Minister's statement this morning is very clear."
The GRA said: "There will be no computerised systems so."
There was considerable discussion, which is understood to have continued since, about a reduction of one hour in the 40-hour week. The official said this would add between £8 million and £10 million to the total pay award.